Appendix I:
Pedestrians and BicyclistsAction Plan

Introduction

Pedestrians and Bicyclists is one of nine emphasis areas of the North Carolina Strategic Highway Safety Plan. This emphasis area focuses on serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians and bicyclists on North Carolina’s roadways.

State of the Problem

From 2009 – 2013, an average of 168 pedestrians and 19 bicyclists were killed annually in collisions with motor vehicles in North Carolina. This represents 14 percent of total fatal crashes in North Carolina. In addition, the five-year average of serious-injury crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists and motor vehicles is 170 and 40, respectively (see Table I-1).

Bicycle crashes in North Carolina are occurring predominantly in urban areas (70 percent); however, 57 percent of fatal bicycle crashes occur in rural-designated areas. Of bicyclists involved in crashes, 85 percent on average are male, and 38 percent are black. In contrast to the pedestrian crash averages, bicycle crashes occur most often during the warmer months (from May to September). Crashes also tend to occur during peak afternoon travel times, with 51 percent occurring between the hours of 3 and 9 PM. Seventy-three (73) percent of bicycle crashes occur during daylight hours, with half of the nighttime crashes occurring on lighted roadways and half occurring on unlighted roadways. As with the pedestrian crashes, speed affects the crash severity, with less than one percent of crashes on roadways with speed limits of 35 mph and under resulting in a fatality. The vast majority of bicyclist fatalities in North Carolina (79 percent) occur on roadways with speed limits of 40 mph and higher (NCDOT Bicycle Crash Facts Summary Report, 2012).More than two-thirds (71 percent) of pedestrian crashes in North Carolina from 2004 – 2013 occurred within municipal limits, likely due to many more people walking in urbanized areas. Specific risk factors for pedestrians include age (10 percent of crashes involving pedestrians 61 and older are fatal), seasonality (September through December typically see the highest number of crashes), light conditions (44 percent of crashes occur during non-daylight hours), and street lighting (crashes on unlighted roadways are three times more likely to result in a fatality compared with lighted roadways). Speed also contributes to the severity of the crash; 72 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur on roadways with speed limits of 40 mph and higher, even though these roadways only account for 28 percent of pedestrian crashes in the State (NCDOT Pedestrian Crash Facts Summary Report, 2014).

There have been many efforts to understand and address the pedestrian and bicycle crashes that are occurring in North Carolina. These efforts include developing a high-quality database of crash locations and types, mapping pedestrian and bicycle facilities across the State, and collecting information on when and where people are walking and bicycling. This information has been instrumental in developing awareness campaigns and efforts with local law enforcement, such as the Watch for Me NC program. In addition, policy changes—such as the Complete Streets policy—have led to the development of training opportunities and resources on how to plan and design the roadways in North Carolina to be safe for all street users.

There are several national efforts underway to better understand strategies that are effective at reducing pedestrian and bicycle crashes. These efforts are being conducted under the leadership of FHWA and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and will provide critical information on effective strategies and associated estimates of the potential to reduce pedestrian and bicycle crashes. Once complete, the results of these efforts should be reviewed and the emphasis area plan should be modified as necessary to incorporate effective strategies for implementation in North Carolina.

Emphasis Area Goal

In 2013, there were 174 pedestrian fatalities and 170 serious injuries, and 19 bicyclist fatalities and 31 serious injuries from crashes in North Carolina. The goals of this action plan are to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries in North Carolina.

Strategies and Supporting Actions

The following section outlines strategies needed to achieve the desired goals of improved safety with regard to pedestrians and bicyclists. They are not proposed as isolated, standalone measures. Rather, to effectively address pedestrian and bicycle safety on North Carolina’s road network, coordinated and concerted efforts statewide across agencies and partners are required. Listed below each strategy are several recommended actions to support it, as well as one or more North Carolina agencies identified as having a potentially significant role in its implementation (with the lead agency[ies] in boldface type) and the current status of the action.

Strategy 1

Continue to develop training and education programs for pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Supporting Actions

Continue to develop staff knowledge on safe pedestrian and bicycle planning and design at all staff levels and agencies through training workshops, desktop and web-based resources, toolkits, and other in-person and online trainings.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agencies, Consulting firmsStatus: In progress

Continue to expand targeted education and enforcement activities under the Watch for Me NC program.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Law enforcementStatus: In progress

Continue to develop bicycle safety messaging to encompass skills and awareness information including bright apparel, distractions, proper lighting, helmet use, and the rules of the road.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agencies, Law enforcementStatus: In progress

Promote and enforce laws pertaining to pedestrian and bicycle safety through law enforcement training and targeted outreach campaigns.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agencies, Law enforcementStatus: In progress

Expand education in schools through the implementation of Let’s Go NC! and other programs that encourage safe walking and riding behaviors.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, NCDPIStatus: In progress

Encourage law enforcement participation in the Watch for Me NC program, and provide additional training opportunities at the Justice Academy, roll call, and through reference materials.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Law enforcementStatus: In progress

Encourage additional professional education at the university level through collaboration on teaching materials and lectures.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, University partners, Professional organizationsStatus: In progress

Continue to implement programs and countermeasures to address high speeds in urban, suburban, and rural areas.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agencies, Law enforcementStatus: Needed

Implement the existing statewide and regional plans, and continue to foster the development and updates of plans with a focus on safety and performance measures.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agenciesStatus: Planned

Collaborate with municipalities on land use and transportation decisions to identify the best designs for safe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, access, and site design.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agenciesStatus: Needed

Strategy 4

Build on strong data and evaluation programs.

Supporting Actions

Continue to support research on safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (e.g., pilot installations and evaluations) and programs.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOTStatus: In progress

Continue to code and geocode pedestrian and bicycle crashes, and continue to update and maintain a statewide geodatabase of existing and planned facilities.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Law enforcementStatus: In progress

Continue to establish and build out a non-motorized traffic monitoring program.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agenciesStatus: In progress

Use counting techniques and surveys to understand the movement and demand of pedestrians and bicyclists around the State.Potential Implementing Agencies: NCDOT, Local agenciesStatus: In progress